Government House in the rain June 27, 2011

In the rain there can be some interesting finds ... and not just wet flowers. With so few people around, two deer were having a good feed in the rose garden.

The older deer was chomping on the rose blossoms. She wasn't too concerned about my presence.

The younger one was not as bold. Aside from the roses, this shrub was a favourite snack.

I wondered if the recent addition of wire on top of the rock wall around the grounds was doing a better job of keeping the deer in rather than out, although with open gates they are free to come and go.

Uneaten roses.

And an iris.

Government House again June 15, 2011

A name tag beside the peony directly above, which had huge blossoms in seemingly two colours, said 'Coral Charm'.

Government House May 13, 2011

Here are some of the flowers in bloom in mid May.

I seem to recall a TV news report not long ago about neighbours of Government House being annoyed that they hadn't been consulted before unsightly wire had been added to the top of the rock walls around the property.

Apparently the purpose was to keep the deer out. These deer, however, are resting inside the walls. I don't know how long the beehives have been there and whether or not they are used.

Butchart Gardens June 10, 2010

Now - to do a bit of catching up.

The roses weren't out yet but lots of columbines, peonies and delphiniums were.

Can't help myself - blue poppies were still blooming too.

These irises are always photogenic.

I don't remember if we'd seen this elephant topiary before. It's by the Rose Carousel.

Flowers & float planes

The springlike weather continued this past weekend in Victoria. More trees are in bloom. So are some forsythia, daffodils and pink rhododendrons

Spring flowers at Government House.

The harbour was full of activity as we walked along the path on the Laurel Point side.